Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

into the blue of his eyes. My lack of

wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to hear about your precious mate

earth and everything I once called home. "Grace, please. I never

The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable. Making me sound way too

him take my hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and I hate myself for the

miss you," he

let myself believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I was near-naked and terrified. And how impossible it is for me to remain in

to miss me. You don't get to come in here and act like

Rafe's voice rises, and I flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring

pathetic for this situation, leaving me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new mate treats me like dirt? How the entire pack looks at

before it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight, not letting me go. "I'll talk to Ellie. I'll make sure she treats you

head, disbelief coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat me. How you stand by

my

demand, anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What

and suddenly he's too close. His hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into his touch. Like a bad fucking habit. "I

me, to pretend that nothing has changed. It would be so

I hate him.

miss him.

I dreamed of a future with him. I

scrambling

"Grace—"

of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't get to have both of us. You made your choice, Rafe. Now

I once found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine, Grace. You've always been

much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong to this pack,

blaze with amber fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He steps forward, and I step back, only for the

mine," he insists, resting a hand on the wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie. I understand. I get it. I hurt

against my jaw in

is not the

cared about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted me to be true

claim

just want to be left

out," he breathes, his eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I won't let

she's not stupid.

in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay. We

hand, in soft, sensual kisses that only make my

But I'm going to get you

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